Screw-threaded pivoted closure



Feb. 10, 1948. M. P. WALL SCREW-THREADED PIVOTED CLOSURE 'Filed Nov. 8,1946 INVENTOR.

Marion Pryor Wall Patented Feb. 10, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v2,435.913 SCREW-THREADED PIVOTED cnosrma Marion P. Wall, LookoutMountain, Tenn., as-

signor to Combustion Engineering Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., acorporation of Delaware Application November 8, 1948. Serial No. 708,60713 Claims. (Cl. 220-305) when the dry ice becomes fluid. .The closureincludes a head capable of resisting the maximum pressure within thebottle, a gasket for effectively sealing the space between the head andbottle, and means associated with the head and gasket for transferringthe pressure on the inside of the head through the gasket to the wallsof the bottle.

For quick opening and closing, the entire closure should be capable ofbeing removed as a unit while being supported from the bottle. The head,gasket and means for transferring the pressure on the head to the bottleshould, when being opened, preferably remain in the relative positionsthey occupy when they are in closed position and should be protectedfrom injury while opening and when in open position.

It is an object of this invention to provide such an improved closurefor the above and other pressure vessels.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the descriptionhereof proceeds.

An illustrative form of the invention is shown by the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of my improved closure applied toan access hole in a side wall Ill and an end portion II which definesthe opening. That drum end II is provided with an inwardly projectingupset portion l2 which has upon its inner surface threads lS-e'xtendinginwardly from the drums end-face, a cylindrical surface i4 extendinginwardly from those threads towards the drum's opposite end (not shown)and of smaller'diameter than threads i3, and a constricting shoulder itat the base of surface- It having the still smaller internal diameterindicated.

Referring next to Figures 1-2-3, the closure of my invention is thereshown as being appliedto this opening in drum end II. This closurecomprises a head l6 (see Figures 2 and 3), an annular ring I! forretaining the head, a gasket i8 interposed between the head and ring.and an external ring-like door member or cap l9. This closure cap ordoor member I!) is hinged to drum head H by means of spaced lugs 20 onthe cap. associated spaced lugs 2| on the drum, and a hinge bolt 22extending through holes within lugs in the usual manner. 7

The closure head i6 has a thickness sufficient to withstand the maximumpressure within the drum III. This head I6 is provided with a flangeportion 23 adjacent its inner or leading face 21, the outercircumferential face 25 of which flange portion is slightly conicallycontracting toward the inner face 24 and fits closely within thecylindrical surface ll of the drum and i I.

The head's opposite or trailing portion is encircled by the representedcircumferential recess which extends from flange 23 to the outer ortrailing face 26 of the head. When in the position shown in Figure 2 thehead i6 rests against shoulder ii of the drum end II which stops itsfurther movement into the drum. Fastened centrally to the outer ortrailing face 26 of the head is a stud bolt 21 which extends axiallyoutward therefrom, as shown in Figure 3, for a purpose later to beexplained.

The closures ring I1 is provided on its outer circumferential surfacewith threads 28 which engage the threads i 3 provided on the innerportion I2 of the drum end ii. The inner or leading face 29 of ring l1has an. outer diameter that permits it to enter the drum head with aclose fit and the ring H has a radial thickness adjacent said facesubstantially equal to the radial depth of the gasket i8 in head It. Theouter or trailing face of this ring i1 is provided beyond the ends ofthe threads 28 with a circumeferential face 30 which extends beyond theend of the drum end ii and into the door-member cap i9 as shown inFigure 2.

As shown in Figure 3, the outer or trailing end of closure ring I'I haswelded thereon a conicallyformed plate 3i having a central hole 32through which the stud bolt '21 from head It projects.

' By means of nuts 33 and washer 34 the plate 3i,

ring I! and head 16 areat all times maintained in such spaced relationas to retain the gasket l8 assume and a gasket ring 85 between the ringi1 and the head flange 23. Fastened to plate 8i and spaced therefrom bylegs 36, is a hand bar 31 by which the annular ring ll may be rotatedand screwed either out of or into the drum end ii. .This bar and itssupporting legs 36 extend in the manner shown through closure cap l9scentral opening 39.

The inner circumferential face of this closure cap or ring-like doormember i9 is further provided with threads 38 which are identical (ofthe same diameter and size) with the threads i3 in the drum'end ii and'which'mesh with the threads 28 on the ring ll. At circumferentiallyspaced points around door member cap is are extension portions 40athrough which adjusting screws ti project to abut the end face of drumhead H as shown in Figure 2. These screws ti are set to maintain theinner face of the .cap in such spaced relation with the outer face ofthe drum .end ii that the threads it of drum end ii are continuous withthe threads 38 in the door member can i9 when the cap is in the closed,aligned position of Figure 2. Once set in proper position each screw 4|may be locked against turning by a jamb nut (not shown) or other wellknown means. I

By so spacing the drum end and door member closure cap, the closure ringl1 may be withdrawn from the drum end into the cap by screwing itoutwardly by means of the hand bar 31. A lug 52 which is welded to thedrum and ii cooperates with a lug 43 on the ring-like cap E9 to guidethat door-member cap into alignment with the drum end when the cap isclosed.

After the closure ring H has been withdrawn from the drum end ii andscrewed back into the door-member cap i9 it will occupy a position asshown in Figure 3. Since stud bolt 21 holds the ring I I and head ittogether the entire assembled head it, ring i'i and gasket it are drawninto the ring-like cap it in the same relative positions (of Figure 2)that they occupied in the drum end. As the door-member cap is swung openabout hinge bolt 22, as shown in Figure 3, the threads and gasket thusare protected from injury by the cap and are retained in position to bescrewed back into the drum end when the ring-like cap is again .closedagainst the drum end.

For holding the external closure cap i 9 in properly aligned closedposition while the closure ring i7 is being screwed from the cap intothe drum end ii, a spring loaded latch M is provided on the drum end toengage the flange 40 of .doormember cap it when the latch has theposition of Figures 1-2. Latch rotation through 90 deg. releases thisengagement and frees cap I 9 for withdrawal. i

In order to replace the gasket iii in the closure assemblage, the nuts33 of stud bolt 21 may be removed and closure ring I! together withclosure plate 3i then withdrawn over the stud and from the closure headIS. The gasket ring 35 and gasket It may now be removed and replaced.

It will be evident from the foregoing that gasket i8 is radiallyexpandable into sealing contact with the openings side wall when axiallycompressed between closure head l6 andring II, as in the position ofFigure'2; that as the ring is screwed by bar 31 into the opening wallthreads, the leading end 24 of head l6 abuts vessel liis constrictingshoulder i so that further advancement of ring ll builds up the namedaxial 4 compression on and radial expansion of gasket ill to establishthe closure seal; and that high pressure subsequently generated withinvessel I0 urges closure head l6 more strongly against gasket i8 (backedby closure ring il therebehind), thereby intensifying the seal indesired manner.

It will be further evident that a withdrawal of closure ring I! byreverse rotation in the opening side wall threads releases the gasketcompression-and breaks the closure seal; that continued withdrawingrotation of the ring transfers the ring-head-gasket assemblage into thethreaded closure cap i9 aligned with the vessel opening as in Figures1-2; and that outward swinging of that door-member can about hinge bolt22 bodily transfers the named closure parts to the position of Figure 3where those parts are effectively protected by the ring-like cap againstmechanical injury and held in immediate readiness for reinsertion intothe vessel opening.

What I claim is:

1. In a closure device for a pressure-vessel opening that comprises aclosure head enterable into the opening, a gasket carried by the head, aclosure ring trailing the gasket and removably secured to the head,mating threads on the closur rings periphery and on the vessel openingsinterior surface, an element fastened to and trailing the closure ringfor imparting thereto rotation which screws the ring into and out of thevessel opening, and means in said opening to limit entering advancementof the closure head so that inward screwing of the closure ring willcompress the gasket, the combination of an external ring-like doormember movably supported by the pressure vessel for placement into orout of alignment with said opening and being formed to permit outwardprojection of said closure-rotating element therethrough, and threads onthe inside of said ring-like door member for engaging the threads onsaid closure ring whereby that closure ring, head and gasket may as anassemblage be screwed out of the opening into the door member formovement away from the opening therewith and out of the door member backinto the opening when it is desired to reclose and seal the pressurevessel.

2. In a closure device for a pressure-vessel opening that comprises aclosure head enterable into the opening. a gasket surrounding said headbehind a leading flange thereon, a closure ring surrounding the trailinghead portion behind said gasket, tie means retaining said head and ringtogether with the gasket therebetween, mating threads on the closurerings periphery and on the vessel openings interior surface for enablingthe ring to be screwed into and out of the opena ing by advancing andwithdrawing rotation thereof, and means in the vessel opening to limitentering advancement of the closure head so that inward screwing of theclosure ring will compress the gasket, the combination of an externalring-like door member hinged to the pressure vessel adjacent saidopening so as to axially align therewith when closed thereagainst and atother times to be swingable outwardly completely away from the opening,and threads on the inside of said ring-like door member for engaging thethreads on said closure ring whereby that closure ring, head and gasketmay as an assemblage be screwed out of said opening into the door memberfor swinging away from the opening therewith and out of the door memberback into the opening when it is desired to reclose and seal thepressure vessel.

"threads on said. closure rings ,8. In a' closure device ,for apressure-vessel opening that comprises a closurahead enterable into theopening. a gasket surrounding said head behind a, leading flangethereon, a closure ring surrounding the trailing head portion behindsaid gasket, tie means retaining said head and ring together with thegasket therebetween, mating rlphery and on the vessel openings interior,sur ace for enabling the ring to be screwed into and out of the openingby advancing and withdrawing rotation thereof. and means in the vesselopening to limit entering advancement of said head so that inward.screwing of the closure ring will compress the gasket. the combinationof an external door member having a circular rim and being hinged to thepressure vessel adjacent said opening so as to axially align therewithwhen closed thereagainst and at other times to be swingable outwardlycompletely away from the opening, and threads on the inside of said doormember rim for engaging the threads on said closure ring whereby thatclosure ring, head and gasket may as an assemblage be screwed out ofsaid opening into the door member for swinging away from the openingtherewith and out of the door member back into the opening when it isdesired to reclose and seal the pressure vessel.

4. In a closure for an opening in a pressure ment into or outofalignment with said opening and being formed to permitoutwardprojection leading portion a circumferential flange axially adioined onthe head's trailing portion by a circumierential recess for thereception of a gasket;

an annular gasket in-said recess encircling said 5 head andradiallyexpandable into sealing contact with the inner surface of saidOpening when axially compressed "against said flange; a closure ringaxially fittable over the recessed portion of said headagainst saidgasket to eil'ect said compression and being enterable into said Iopening with said head in trailing relation thereto; a plate fastened tothe trailing end of said ring and ahand bar fastened to-the outer-"side'of saidv plate; central tie means between said head with said ringplate for retaining said head and ring together with the gaskettherebetween; mating threads on said rings periphery and on saidopenings interior surface for enabling said -ring to be screwed into andout of'said opening by advancing and withdrawing rotations impartedthereto through said bar; a constriction positioned in said opening tolimit entering advancement of said head so that inward screwing of saidring will compress said gasket and seal the opening as aforesaid; anexternal closure cap movably, supported by said vessel for placementinto or out of alignmentwith said opening and being formed to permitoutward projection there- '40 cap movably supportedby said vessel forplace-- through of said ring-rotating hand bar; and threads in said capfor engaging the threads on said closure ring-whereby that ring, headand gasket may as an assemblage be screwed out of said opening into saidcap and out of said cap into said opening. a

'7. In a closure for an access opening in a pressure vessel, thecombination of a closure head enterable into said opening and having onits leading portion a circumferential flange axially 'adjoined on thehead's trailing portion by a circumferential recess for the reception ofa gasket;

' an annular gasket in said recess encircling said therethrough of saidring rotating member, and

threads in said cap for engaging the threads on said closure ringwhereby that ring, head and gasket may as an assemblage be screwed outof said opening into said cap and out of said cap into said opening.

5. In a closure for an opening in a pressure vessel, the combination ofa closure head enterable into said opening,-a gasket surrounding saidhead behind a leading flange thereon, a closure ring surrounding thetrailing head portion behind said gasket, tie means retaining said headand ring together with the .gasket therebetween, mating threads on saidrings periphery and on said openings interiorlsurface for enabling saidring to be screwed into and out of said opening by advancing andwithdrawing rotation thereof,

. means in said opening to limit entering advarrcement of said head sothat inward screwing of the ring will compress said gasket and seal theopening, an external closure cap hinged to said vessel adjacent theopening so as to axially align therewith when closed thereagainst and tobe swinghead, and radially expandable into sealing contact with theopenings side wall and the head whenaxially compressed against saidflange; a closure ring axially flttable over said recessed head bodyagainst said gasket to effect said com- 3 pression and enterable intosaid opening with said head in trailing relation thereto; mating threadson said rings periphery and on said able outwardly completely away fromthe opening, and threads in said cap for engaging the threads on saidclosure ring whereby that ring; head and gasket may as an assemblage bescrewed out of said opening into said cap and out of said cap into saidopening.

6. Ida closure for an access opening in a pressure vessel, thecombination of a closure head openings side wall for enabling said ringto be screwed into and out of said opening by appropriate rotation ofthe ring; a constricting shoulder positioned in said opening to limitentering advancement of said head so that inward screwing of the ringwill compress said gasket and seal the opening as aforesaid whileoutward screwin of the ring will release and break the seal; means forretaining said head and ring together with the gasket therebetween evenafter these closure parts are withdrawn from said opening; an externalclosure cap movably supported bythe vessel for placement into or out ofalignment with said opening; and threads in said cap for engaging thethreads on said ring whereby the ring,

head and gasket may be withdrawn from said opening into said cap andremoved therewith from said opening.

8. In a closure for an access opening in a ressure vessel, thecombination of aclosure head enterable into said opening and providedwith a leading circumferential flange and a trailing circumferentialrecess; an annular gasket in said recess in abutment with said flange; aclosure ring axially fittable over the recessed head portion enterableinto said opening and having in its against said gasket and enterableinto sald openprotruding from the trailing portion of said ring forimparting rotation thereto; a constricting shoulder positioned in saidopening to limit en tering advancement of said head so that inwardscrewing of said ring will compress said gasket and seal said opening:means for retaining said. l0 head and ring together with the gasketthere- 1 between even after these closure parts arewithdrawn from saidopening; an external cap having an open to through which saidring-rotating means extends and being movably supported by the vesselfor placement into or out oralignment with said opening; andthread insaid cap for engaging the threads on said ring whereby the ring. headand gasket may be withdrawn from said opening into said cap and removedtherewith from said opening.

9. Ina closure for an access opening in a high pressure vessel, thecombination of threads on said openings interior extending from theoutside axially thereinto; a cylindrical interior surface axially beyondsaid threads within said opening and being of a diameter no greaterthan-that which the thread tops define; a constricting shoulder at theinner en of said cylindrical surface deflning a still smaller diameter;a cylin- 39 drical head removably enterable into said opening to closesame having an inner flangeportion fitting into said surface andengaging said constricting shoulder when in closed position and alsohaving an outer smaller portion forming 'a circumferential gasket recessadjacentsaid cy- I lindrical surface; a removable closure ring having aninner portion formed to fit axially over said head's smallerportion'into said gasket recess and having an outer portion providedwith 40 threads engageable with said threads on said openingsinterior;'a, gasket in said recess compressible between said ring andsaid head's inner shoulder portion for sealing contact vwith theopenings cylindricalsurface; means fastened to said ring for impartingthereto rotation which screws the ring into and out of said opening;means fastened to said head and'to said'ring to 'maintaln said head andsaid ring in axially spaced relation with said gasket therebetween asaforesaid and a cap having a wall hinged to the vessel adjacent theaccess opening so as to swing the cap into axial alignment therewithwhen in closed position, the insideof said wall having threads of thesame diameter and size as the threadson said vessel whereby the ring.head and gasket may be rotation of the threaded ring be withdrawn fromsaid opening into'said cap and then swung 'awayfrom said opening withthe 4 cap. 10. In a closure for an access opening in a high pressurevessel. the combination of helical threads on the opening interiorextending axially into the opening; a cylindrical surface on saidinterior axially beyond the inner ends of said 35 threads and having adiameter no greater than that which the thread tops define; aconstricting shoulder at the inner end of said surface defining a stillsmaller diameter; a removable cylindrical head to close said openinghaving an inner flange portion fitting into said surface and engagingsaid constricting shoulder when in closed position and also having anouter, smaller portion forming a circumferential gasket recess adjacentsaid cylindrical surface; a removable closure ring hav- 1 ing an innerportion formed axially over said head's smaller portion into saidgasketrecess and having an outer Portion pr tded with helical threadsengageable with saidthreads on said openings interior; a gasket in saidrecess compressible between said ring and said head's inner flangeportion for sealing contact with the opening's cylindrical surface;means fastened to said ring for imparting thereto rotation which screwsthe ring into and out of said opening; means fastened to said head andto said last means to maintain said head and said ring in axially spacedrelation with saidgasket therebetween as v aforesaid; and a cap havingan open top through which said ring rotating means extends and a wallhinged to the vessel adjacent the access opening so as to swing the capinto axial alignment therewith when in closed position, the outside ofsaid wall having same diameter and size as the threads on said vesselwhereby the ring, head and gasket may by rotation of the threaded ringbe withdrawn'from said opening into said cap and then swung away fromsaid opening with the cap. I 1 ll. In a-closure for an access opening ina pressure vessel. the combination of a closure head enterable into saidopening and having on its leading portion a circumferential flangeaxially adjoined on the head's trailing portion by a circumferentialrecess for the reception of a gasket; 1 an annular gasket in said recessencircling said /head and radially expandable into sealing contact withthe inner surface of said opening when axially compressed against saidflange; a closure ring axially flttable over said recessed head portionagainst said gasket to effect said compression and enterable into saidopening with said head in trailing relation thereto; mating threads onsaid rings periphery and on said openings inner surface for enablingsaid ring to be screwed into and out of said opening'by advancing andwithdrawing rotation of the ring; a constriction positioned in saidopening to limit entering advancement of said head sothat inwardscrewing of said ring will compress said gasket and seal the opening asaforesaid while withdrawing rotation of the ring will release and breakthe seal; means for retaining said head and ring together with thegasket therebetween even after these closure parts are withdrawn fromsaid opening: and a cap with a cylindrical wall having an axial depthequal at le'ast'the 'sum of the axial depths of said ring and gasket.the cap being hinged to said vessel adjacent said access opening so asto swing into axial alignment therewith when in closed position, theinside of said wall having threads mating those on, said openinginterior whereby the closure ring, head and gasket may as an assemblagebe screwed out of said'opening into said cap and then swung away fromthe opening with the cap. I v

-12. In a. closure for an. access opening in a pressure vessel, thecombination of a closure head enterable into said opening and having onits leading portion a circumferential flange axially adjoined on thehead's trailing portion'by a, circumferential recess for the receptionof agaskety an annular gasket in said recess encircling said head andradially expandable into sealing contact with the inner surface of saidopening when axially compressed against said flange; a closure ringaxially fittableover said recessed head portion against said gasket toefl'ect said compression and enterable into said opening with saidhelical threads of the 9 head in trailing relation thereto; matingthreads on said rings periphery and on said opening's inner surface forenabling said ring to be screwed into and out of said opening byadvancing and withdrawing rotation of the ring; a constrictionpositioned in said opening to limit entering advancement of said head sothat inward screwing of said ring will compress said gasket and seal theopening as aforesaid while withdrawing rotation of the ring will releaseand break the seal; means for retaining said head and ring together withthe gasket therebetween even after these closure parts are withdrawnfrom said openins; a cap with a cylindrical wall having a depth equal atleast the sum\of the axial depths of said ring and gasket. the ,capbeing hinged to said vessel adjacent said access opening so as to swinginto axial alignment therewith when in closed position; the inside ofsaid wall having threads mating those on said opening interior; and setscrews carried by said cap engaging said vessel around- 4 whereby thethreaded ring, head and gasket may as an assemblage be screwed out ofsaid opening into said cap and then swung away from the opening with thecap.

10 axially compressed against said flange; a closure ring axiallyiittable over said recessed head portion against said gasket to effectsaid compression and enterable into said opening with saidhead intrailing relation thereto; mating after these closure parts arewithdrawn from 13. In a closure for an access opening in a pressurevessel, the combination of a closure head enterable into said openingand having on its leading portion a circumferential flange axiallyadjoined on the head's trailing portion by a circumferential recess forthe reception of a gasket; an annular gasket in said recess encirclingsaid head and radially expandable into sealing contact with the innersurface of said opening when said opening; a cap with a cylindrical wallhinged .to the vessel adjacent said access opening so as to axiallyalign therewith when in closed position. the inside of said wall havingthreads mating those on side opening interior; set screws carried bysaid cap engaging said vessel around the opening to space the cap withrespect thereto so as to cause the mating threads in said cap and onsaid opening interior to be continuous; a lug fastened to said vesseladjacent the opening and supporting the cap when closed for aligning theaxis of the cap with that of the access opening: and a spring loadedlatch fastened to the vessel also adjacent said opening to engage thecap and hold said set screws against said vessel whereby the threadedring, head and gasket may as an assemblage be screwed out of saidopening into as said cap and out of said cap into said opening.

MARION P. WALL.

